The Leaping Rabbit

The sense of danger must not disappear:

The way is certainly both short and steep,

However gradual it looks from here;

Look if you like, but you will have to leap.

-       from “Leap Before You Look,” by W. H. Auden

Real isn’t how you are made … It’s a thing that happens to you.

-       from “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams

Why “the leaping rabbit”?

It’s a statement of identity based on a favorite poem and a favorite story. Throughout my life, I have come to understand my faith – who Jesus is and who I am in him – through art and literature. Stories help me find meaning and hope in a chaotic and sometimes frightening world. Through their beauty, poetry and music enable me to stand up to the things I fear.  In short, the creative arts restore my faith and give me courage to face the world. For me, leaping signifies courage, joy, and faith. And even the most timid little rabbits were made to leap.

Why I blog:

It is easy for me to hide all my drawings in a sketchbook and lock all my writing in a journal, but I have come to believe that art is for sharing. What I have to offer is not perfect, but it is given me to share. I’ve learned this by watching friends share their art. When I hear my sister singing and playing piano, I know that her songs come from her heart; they grow out of her story. When my husband and friends play their music at coffee shops, in clubs, in living rooms, in auditoriums – wherever they can – my faith grows. I see my friends’ creativity, and I get a glimpse of the Creator.

I’m not just interested in sharing my own art and writing; I also want to share the great art I experience. Most of my favorite books and albums were first recommended to me by others: relatives, friends, professors, and, yes, even strangers who took the time to write interesting online reviews. Hopefully I can pass on the favor.

I also believe in being present to the beauty of the everyday. In fairy tales, ordinary objects and people are often more than they seem; so too in real life, the mundane can hold great meaning and lead to moments of grace and beauty – moments when we recognize God’s presence. I write to share these everyday graces.